Teen Science Cafe Network Manager

Position Description 

Position Title: Teen Science Cafe Network (TSCN) Manager

Position Type: Full Time/Exempt

Reports to:  Director; Teen Science Café Network (TSCN)

Location: Remote position

About STEM Next

STEM Next Opportunity Fund is a nonprofit organization that makes high-quality STEM learning opportunities a reality for millions of young people across the nation by supporting the out-of-school time (OST) field. STEM Next has set an ambitious goal to excite 20 million more youth and teens, especially girls, students of color, and those in underserved communities by 2030. Through its signature initiatives, the Institute for a STEM Ready America and the Million Girls Moonshot, STEM Next is working to ensure that every child has STEM opportunities that inspire curiosity, innovation, and critical thinking skills for whatever comes NEXT. Learn more at stemnext.org.

About the Role

Positioned directly under the TSCN Director, the Manager of Network Engagement is responsible for planning and implementing a variety of projects for the TSCN Member community to support new and veteran members in their Teen Science Cafe implementation while also encouraging cohesiveness within the TSCN community of practice.

Key Responsibilities:

Expand and sustain the TSCN membership by executing strategic events, creating pathways for TSC Adult Leader professional growth, and forming connections across the TSCN community.

Event Execution

• Plan, execute, record and disseminate professional development sessions for TSCN Members and Teen Leaders.
• Lead the TSCN team to plan and execute the annual TSCN Community Convening
• Form and manage TSCN member advisory group to guide the convening’s purpose and direction.
• Oversee staff planning and event-related tasks.
• Oversee facilitator planning and event-related tasks.
• Coordinate and execute TSCN Affinity groups
• Arrange virtual and in-person visits with TSCN member cafes
• Listen and respond to TSCN member requests for additional events that support TSCN Adult Leader Professional Development.

New Member Support

• TSCN Resource Guides report to this position and work as a team to successfully onboard new TSCN Members.
• Oversee quality control of new member progress reports/deliverables
• Lead the Resource Guide team through the execution of public facing recruitment activities
• Recognize graduation of new TSCN Members with Member packages

Other Duties

• Work directly with the TSCN Director to plan for and execute new projects as they arise.
• Manage the database of TSCN new and veteran members and work with TSCN staff & the evaluator team to ensure that all member data and records are maintained accurately
• Liaise with TSCN Coordinator of Marketing and Outreach to maintain the TSCN website, including updating resources within the TSCN ‘Members only’ Portal
• Liaise with the TSCN Coordinator of Marketing and Outreach to gather stories and quotes from TSCN Members and STEM Experts for TSCN public communications
• Attend outreach and recruitment events (both in-person and virtual)
• Participate in TSCN staff meetings
• Work with TSCN evaluator to gather relevant data for research about TSCN members, including annual interviews and cafe snapshots
• Assisting in the development of longer-term strategies for the Teen Science Café Network

The responsibilities listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. The position description does not constitute an employment agreement between employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the employer’s needs and the position’s requirements change

Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree and 3 years of experience in directly relevant activities.
• Project and budget management skills with an ability to plan, prioritize, implement project activity, and budget tracking systems and meet deadlines in an agile environment.
• Experience working on complex projects that involve many inputs and outcomes with multiple collaborators, including community-based partners.
• Experience in the production of effective and memorable professional meetings and workshops, as well as in-person and online public events.
• Familiarity with the professional fields of informal STEM education, public engagement with science, and science communication, as well as familiarity with community engagement.
• Excellent written, spoken, communication and organizational skills, and strong interpersonal and networking abilities are required.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing issues related to diversity, equity, access, and inclusion.
• Demonstrated initiative, flexibility, openness to change and accountability.
• Fluency in MS Office Suite, database management, and a working knowledge of social media platforms.
• Applicants must be willing and able to perform necessary, sporadic job-related travel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing teams toward organizational goals
• A well-rounded interpersonal skill set with the capacity to collaborate and to thoughtfully engage with professionals at various levels and diverse stakeholders (including program providers, community partners, and schools).
• Ability to work independently, take initiative and lead, as well as work effectively as part of a team.

Travel Requirement

This position may require occasional travel for national conferences and member site visits. Candidates should be prepared for travel on average 1 to 2 times a year

Salary and Benefits

The Salary Range for this position is $70,000 to 85,000 depending on experience. STEM Next provides paid time off, sick leave and federal holidays. STEM Next provides a comprehensive set of benefits including: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, 401(k) Retirement Plan, and Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account

Location

This full-time, exempt position can be done on a flexible schedule remotely from anywhere in the U.S. with access to high-speed internet. The candidate should be comfortable and equipped to work efficiently in a remote work environment.

To Apply

Please submit your resume, cover letter, and any relevant certifications to Katey Ahmann at jobs@stemnext.org.

Application deadline is March 3rd, 2025.

STEM Next Opportunity Fund provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination, retaliation, and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.